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I
was born in Kemper County, Mississippi in the year A.D. 1850. My mother died
when I was an infant only three weeks old. My father brought me to my
grandmother, Rebecca Williams, who lived at that time in Jefferson County, Ark.
She raised me until I was in my 17th year. When she died, my father, Carroll
Tabor, died. I do not remember seeing him. I was so small when I (saw him) last.
In 1869, I went to Texas. Stayed there 29 years all except four years of my life
have lived and made my living on farms, farming, raising and handling stock.
Have served in Texas as a deputy sheriff. Had some experience with thefts
inforcing (sic) the law. One time I was shot in trying to arrest thieves. I was
halled (sic) home and was 14 days had to be turned on my bed. Have been
preaching for the last eleven years. Am a minister in the Missionary Baptist
Church, at the same time making my other living. In 1898 I moved to the Indian
Territory where I have resided ever since.
I became a candidate for the legislature in complyance
(sic) with the wish of my many friends who (indecipherable) requested and
(indecipherable) to make the race. I have never studied politics to be a
politician, have only taken such interest as to enable me to vote for the best
interest of my county and this makes me an ardent supporter of democracy.
Will send photograph as requested. Please pardon me for
this delay as was not convenient for me to attend to this sooner.
This Aug. 16, 1907,

William Tabor

*This is my transcription of a handwritten autobiography submitted to the
Oklahoma Historical Society on the occasion of his being elected to the first
Oklahoma legislature in 1907. On Nov. 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state.
He served in the Senate in the first Oklahoma
legislature and in the House of Representatives in the third. He died in 1917
and is buried in Paoli Cemetery.

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